Middle District of Florida • 3:26-cv-02687

#1

Oct 05, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus - Federal (Filing fee $ 5.00, receipt number 39545) filed by Filed by friend Solei Romero on behalf of petitioner . (Attachments: # 1 Mailing Envelope)(AS) (Entered: 10/05/2026)

#2

Oct 06, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER. Solei Romero filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 on behalf of Lorenzo Bacama Perez, an immigration detainee. (Doc. 1). However, an "[a]pplication for a writ of habeas corpus shall be in writing signed and verified by the person for whose relief it is intended or by someone acting in his behalf." 28 U.S.C. § 2242. The latter part of this statutory provision codifies the common law tradition of permitting a "next friend" to litigate on behalf of a person who, because of "inaccessibility, mental incompetence, or other disability" is unable to initiate a habeas action himself. Whitmore v. Arkansas, 495 U.S. 149, 162-63 (1990). "Next friend" status has not been shown to be appropriate in this case. Even if it were, Romero does not claim to be a licensed attorney, and therefore, Romero cannot represent Bacama Perez here. See Cornejo, by & through Taylor v. Glades Cnty. Det. Ctr., Warden, No. 2:26-CV-1604-KCD-KRH, 2026 WL 1584289, at *1 (M.D. Fla. June 3, 2026). Thus, the petition (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED without prejudice, and the Clerk shall terminate any pending motions as moot and close the file. The Clerk shall send Bacama Perez a blank petition for writ of habeas corpus form for use in § 2241 cases and an application to proceed in forma pauperis (prisoner filings) form. If Bacama Perez chooses to refile his claims, he may complete and file a new petition on the enclosed petition form. He should not include this case number on the forms because the Clerk will assign a new case number upon receipt. Signed by Judge Jordan Emery Pratt on 10/6/2026. (JLD) (Entered: 10/06/2026)

Oct 06, 2026

Order Dismissing Case